Mounting bracket for medical device

ABSTRACT

A mounting bracket is provided for holding a medical device adjacent a medical apparatus. The mounting bracket includes spring arms that allow the bracket to be spring loaded and inserted between a medical apparatus and a pole. The bracket includes fingers for flexibly receiving a medical device thereon, so that the device may be securely mounted adjacent the medical apparatus. The bracket includes a base having the first spring arm and second spring arm extending therefrom.

The present invention pertains to a mounting bracket for a medicaldevice such as a dialyzer for use with a blood processing system.

Hemodialysis systems are well known that pump and process blood viaarterial and venous tubing sets. A typical hemodialysis blood processingapparatus (“dialysis machine”) includes a cabinet for housing thepumping components. An air trap acts to remove air bubbles from theblood being processed by the dialysis machine. Generally the dialyzer isa membrane device connected to the dialysis machine via tubular arterialand venous flow lines. The dialyzer is mounted adjacent the dialysismachine. For example, the dialysis machine may have a metal poleextending from the top of the cabinet or placed nearby. In a typicalorientation, the dialyzer is mounted to the pole.

The mounting of the dialyzer to the pole is usually accomplished via aconventional bracket having multiple components, springs, and clampingarms on the bracket. For example, a first clamping portion may beprovided having a metal coil spring formed between two arms in order tomechanically operate the first clamping arm which may clamp onto theouter sides of the dialyzer cylinder. A second portion of the bracketmay be provided for clamping onto the pole. For example, a threadedscrew may be provided for tightening and untightening so that the screwmay be moved in a direction towards the pole. Tightening of the screwagainst the pole causes the bracket to clamp onto the pole.

Typically such a bracket will have multiple components that areconnected together via screws, rivets or other fasteners. The screw andcoil spring are generally formed of metal which are mounted to thebracket via insert molding or other fastening means. Each of theseconnection means provide crevices and gaps in the bracket which aresusceptible of accumulating contaminants or blood. Also, the device isexpensive.

As the bracket is used in a medical environment—where cleanliness andlack of contamination is highly desirable—it is necessary that thebracket be easily cleaned and disinfected and have minimal creviceswhere contaminants and blood may accumulate that may be difficult toclean. Therefore, there is desired a mounting bracket which can overcomethe disadvantages of previously known brackets.

SUMMARY

The present invention provides a bracket comprising a first poleclamping arm and a second device clamping arm assembly having a pair ofresilient clamping fingers, and the first pole clamping arm having aconcave-shaped hand member. The pole clamping arm and the deviceclamping arm assembly are formed as one piece, for example a single,molded piece, so that the bracket may be easily cleaned, and isinexpensive. In an embodiment, the first pole clamping arm and seconddevice clamping arm are joined to form a pair of spring arms utilizingthe resilience of the plastic used to make the bracket. The bracket maybe mounted between a pole abutting the pole clamping arm and a medicalapparatus (such as a dialysis machine) abutting the device clamping arm.The pair of spring arms typically may exert an outward force against thepole. In an embodiment, the pair of arms are molded as one piece of aglass filled nylon compound. In some embodiments, the device clampingarm may include a guide member protruding therefrom for engaging a sideof the medical apparatus to position the bracket when mounted betweenthe pole and the medical apparatus.

In some embodiments, the second device clamping arm includes a firstfinger having a resting surface, and a second finger having asubstantially L-shaped clamping surface. The first finger is bendableaway from the second finger, so that a device may be inserted betweenthe fingers and maintained between the clamping surface and the restingsurface. In an embodiment, the medical device held may be acylindrically shaped dialyzer that is securely held by the deviceclamping arm assembly comprising the pair of fingers, each on a separatearm portion, or branching from a single arm, if desired. In oneembodiment, the first finger and second finger each may include an armportion that separately join each finger to a base, and each arm portionextends in a direction perpendicular to the base. Each arm portion ofthe second arm may be substantially parallel to the other.

In an embodiment, the first pole clamping arm may extend from the base.The hand member may be a generally C-shaped member that includes acircumference between approximately 90-180 degrees.

In another embodiment, the hand member may be generally V-shaped. Astrut is attached to the device clamping arm. The strut may extend atleast partially parallel to a bisecting line that extends across theopening of the hand between a proximal point and a distal point on the Vor C-shaped member, so that applying pressure on the strut will directan angular clamping force toward the V or C-shaped member in order toeasily clamp the bracket to a pole. The bracket may further comprise aguide member protruding from the device clamping arm at approximately a90 degree angle, the guide member being used for abutting a side of amedical apparatus to which the bracket is mounted. The pole clamping armmay be clamped to a pole extending from the medical apparatus, the poleextending parallel to the side of the medical apparatus, and the guidemember may have an L-shape to engage the side.

The bracket may comprise a spring arm comprising a first arm having afirst abutment surface, a second spring arm flexibly connected to thefirst arm at a base, the second arm having a second abutment surface,the bracket having a rest condition where the first arm is extendedfully from the second arm, the bracket also having a mounted condition,where the first arm is compressed toward the second arm so that a forceof typically about 20-30 pounds is generated at the first and secondabutment surface. In one embodiment, the first and second arms may bemolded as one piece of a plastic such as glass filled nylon compound. Inone embodiment, the first abutment surface may be a generally C-shapedhand member for clamping onto a pole, and the second abutment surfacemay be a generally L-shaped guide member for engaging a side of thedialysis machine when the bracket is in the mounted condition.

As stated, the second arm may include first and second fingers forengaging a medical device, so that the medical device is mountedadjacent a medical apparatus and a pole, between which the bracket iscompressed. In some embodiments, the bracket may further include a thirdarm disposed between the first and second arm and for supporting one ofthe fingers that clamp to a medical device disposed between the firstand second finger.

The present invention may also provide a method of mounting a medicaldevice to a medical apparatus, comprising the steps of providing aspring arm bracket having first and second arms that form spring arms,inserting a bracket between a pole and the medical apparatus in order tocompress the spring arms, generating an outward force by the spring armsdue to the compression between the pole and the medical apparatus,maintaining the bracket in a vertical position, and mounting a medicaldevice to the bracket so that it is maintained in a position adjacentthe medical apparatus. The method further comprises the steps ofattaching blood flow tubes between the medical device and the medicalapparatus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

There is shown in the drawings a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, wherein like numerals in the various figures pertain to likeelements, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is perspective view of the bracket of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the bracket of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the bracket of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the bracket of FIG. 1 shown mounted to apole and having an extracorporeal blood treatment device mounted on thebracket;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the bracket of FIG. 4 depicted in itscompressed condition mounted between a pole and a dialysis machine,prior to insertion of the blood treatment device therein; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the bracket mounted to a dialysismachine and having a dialyzer mounted in the bracket.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. 1-6. A bracket 10 is provided which includes a poleclamping arm 20 including a hand 22. In an embodiment, the hand isgenerally C-shaped or concave and is formed to attach to a cylindricalpole 23 (FIGS. 4 and 5). In an alternate embodiment, the hand 22 may beV-shaped. The hand 22 forms an opening 26, as indicated by bisectingline L, across opening 26 between a proximal point 27 and a distal point28 formed by the hand 22. The C-shaped member 22 includes acircumference of between approximately 90°-180°. For example, as shownin FIG. 2, the proximal point 27 is oriented about 180° from the distalpoint 28.

A first (double) arm 31, 31 a extends from an opposite end of the base30 and forms a device clamping arm. The device clamping arm includes afirst finger 32 and a second finger 34. The first finger 32 provides fora first abutment surface 32 a and the second finger 34 provides for asecond abutment surface 34 a. In an embodiment, the second abutmentsurface 34 a may be defined by an L-shaped guide member 35. The poleclamping arm 20 forms a spring arm or trunk extending from base 30 anddefines a second arm 20. The arms 20, 31, 31 a, base 30 and fingers 32,34 may be integrally formed of a polymer material of one piece, toprovide spring arms that are resilient and flexible, in order to allowfor the bracket 10 to mount to a dialysis machine 40, and to hold adialyzer 47. Each arm 20, 31 has an arm portion that connects the arm20, 31 to the base 30. Each arm forms a first and second finger 32, 34that extend substantially perpendicular to the base 30. Arm portion 31 aalso connects integrally to base 30. In an alternate embodiment, firstarm portion 31 a may extend from the trunk of the first arm portion 31in a Y configuration.

Dialysis machine 40 is a well-known blood processing apparatus, such asfor hemodialysis, and dialyzer 47 has blood tubing that attaches it viaparts 51, 53 to the dialysis machine 40. Many clinically used types areknown. An example of a dialysis machine and dialyzer are described inU.S. Pat. No. 6,517,508, which is incorporated herein by reference.

First and second fingers 32, 34 act to hold dialyzer 47 therebetween.The fingers are resiliently formed so that dialyzer 47 may be slidbetween the fingers, causing them to expand and separate from eachother. Each finger has a tapered end 37, 38, so that dialyzer 47 may beeasily inserted between fingers 32, 34. Upon complete insertion ofdialyzer 47 against the L-shaped guide member 35, fingers 32, 34 closearound device 47 and securely hold device 47 within bracket 10.

FIGS. 1-3 depict bracket 10 in its rest condition, where first, doublearm 31, 31 a is fully extended from second arm 20. This is anon-stressed condition, allowing bracket 10 to be mounted to the medicalapparatus 40 on pole 23. As shown in FIG. 4, bracket 10 is mounted onpole 23 by compressing spring arms 20, 31 between pole 23 and side 48 ofdialysis machine 40. Once medical device 47 is inserted between thefingers 32, 34, dialyzer 47 is maintained in a position adjacent pole 23and dialysis machine 40. As shown in FIG. 5, bracket 10 is spring loadedin a compressed condition of arms 20, 31 between the dialysis machineside 48 and pole 23, so that dialyzer 47 can be securely maintainedbetween pole 23 and apparatus 40.

First arm portion 31 includes a guide member 45 protruding generally ata right angle from first arm 31. The first arm portion 31 is normallypositioned adjacent to a side 48 of the dialysis machine 40, and firstarm 31 and guide member 45 acting to brace and position bracket 10against dialysis machine 40. Due to the resilient nature and spring armorientation of the bracket 10 having the first and second arms 20, 31,31 a attached to base 30, the entire bracket may be compressed betweenpole 23 and apparatus 40. In an embodiment, mounted bracket 10 exerts anoutward force of about 20-30 pounds against the pole 23.

First arm portion 31 may also include a strut 55. Strut 55, part ofguide member 35, may be formed parallel to the bisecting line L, formedacross the opening 26 of the C-shaped hand 22. Due to the orientation ofthe strut 55 and the resilient nature of bracket 10, strut 55 may bepushed by a medical attendant's hand in order to push the C-shaped handmember 22 onto the pole 23. Pushing on strut 55 directs an angularclamping force on the C-shaped member 22, in order to easily clamp thebracket 10 to the pole 23 by a springing-fit retention.

After bracket 10 is clamped to pole 23, the first arm 31 may be slidagainst the dialysis machine, in order to provide the bracket in apreset or stressed condition, so that arms 20, 31 are applying anoutward force against dialysis machine 40 and pole 23. In particular,the first arm portion 31 and guide member 45 apply a force against side48 of apparatus 40, and the C-shaped hand 22 applies a force against thepole 23, in order to securely maintain bracket 10 in a verticalorientation adjacent the side of the apparatus 40 and pole 23. Thus, itmay be understood that once dialyzer 47 is mounted between fingers 32,34, it will be maintained in a secure position adjacent apparatus 40. Insuch a position, the dialysis solution connections 75 extending from themedical device 47 can be provided. Blood flow ports 51, 53 can also beconnected to blood tubing and dialyzer machine 40, while the dialyzer 47is clamped between fingers 32, 34.

Therefore, it may be understood that the bracket's one piececonstruction allows it to have minimal crevices and components tocollect contaminants, such as blood, and may be easily cleaned whileproviding for a means to quickly and easily mount a medical device, suchas a dialyzer, to a medical apparatus, such as dialysis machine. It isalso apparent that the bracket 10 may be easily removed from thedialysis machine for disinfecting, such as submersing the entire bracketin a disinfectant solution. After disinfecting and cleaning, such byscrubbing with cleansers, the bracket may be quickly and easilyreinserted on the apparatus and a medical device mounted thereto. Also,bracket 10 is inexpensive to manufacture, and thus may be disposable ifdesired.

In a method of mounting the medical device 47 to a medical apparatus 40,the steps are followed of: inserting the bracket 10 between pole 23 andthe dialysis machine 40, in order to compress the spring arms 20, 31.The spring arms 20, 31 typically generate an outward force of about20-30 pounds due to the compression between the pole 23 and the medicalapparatus 40, but other compressions may be used. The bracket ismaintained in a vertical position by arms 20, 31. Finally, the medicaldevice 47 is inserted between clamping fingers 32, 34, so that medicaldevice 47 is maintained in position adjacent medical apparatus 40.Following the mounting of dialyzer 47, flexible tubing 51, 53, 75 isattached as appropriate, between device 47 and the dialysis machine 40.

The matter set forth in the foregoing description and accompanyingdrawings is offered by way of illustration only and not as a limitation.Although particular embodiments have been shown and described, it willbe obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modificationsmay be made without departing from the broader aspects of applicant'scontribution. For example, the bracket 10 of the present invention maybe used to mount devices other than a dialyzer and may be mounted toapparatus other than a dialysis machine. The actual scope of theprotection sought is intended to be defined in the following claims,when viewed in their proper perspective based on the prior art.

1. A bracket comprising: a first pole clamping arm having aconcave-shaped hand member; a second device clamping arm having a pairof resilient clamping fingers; and the pole clamping arm and the deviceclamping arm formed as one integral piece.
 2. The bracket of claim 1wherein the first pole clamping arm and device clamping arm are joinedto form a pair of spring arms.
 3. The bracket of claim 2 wherein thebracket is mounted between a pole abutting the pole clamping arm and amedical apparatus abutting the device clamping arm and the pair ofspring arms exert an outward force against the pole when mounted.
 4. Thebracket of claim 3 which is molded as one piece of a glass filled nyloncompound.
 5. The bracket of claim 3 wherein the device clamping armincludes a guide member protruding therefrom for engaging a side of themedical apparatus and helping to position the bracket in a compressedcondition when mounted between the pole and the medical apparatus. 6.The bracket of claim 1 wherein the second device clamping arm includes afirst finger having a resting surface, and a second finger having asubstantially L-shaped clamping surface and the first finger beingbendable away from the second finger so that a device may be insertedbetween the fingers and maintained between a clamping surface and aresting surface.
 7. The bracket of claim 6 wherein the device is acylindrically shaped, extracorporeal blood treatment device that issecurely held by the device clamping arm.
 8. The bracket of claim 6wherein the first finger and second finger each include an arm portionthat join each finger to a base, and each arm portion extends in adirection substantially perpendicular to the base and each arm portionextends substantially longitudinally to the other.
 9. The bracket ofclaim 8 wherein the first pole clamping arm extends from the base. 10.The bracket of claim 8 wherein the hand member is a generally C-shapedmember that includes a circumference of between approximately 90 to180°.
 11. The bracket of claim 10 wherein a strut is attached to thesecond device clamping arm, the strut extending at least partiallyparallel to a bisecting line that extends across an opening of the handbetween a proximal point and a distal point on the C-shaped member, sothat applying pressure on the strut will direct an angular clampingforce on the C-shaped member in order to easily clamp the bracket to apole.
 12. The bracket of claim 8 wherein the hand member is generallyV-shaped.
 13. The bracket of claim 8 wherein the pole clamping arm isclamped to a pole carried by a medical apparatus, the pole extendingparallel to the side of the medical apparatus, and guide member on saidbracket having an L-shape to engage said medical apparatus.
 14. Thebracket of claim 1 further comprising a guide member protruding from thedevice clamping arm at approximately a 90° angle, the guide member forabutting a side of a medical apparatus to which the bracket is mounted.15. A spring arm bracket comprising: a first arm having a first abutmentsurface; a second arm flexibly connected to the first arm at a base, thesecond arm having a second abutment surface; the bracket having a restcondition where the first arm is extended fully from the second arm; andthe bracket having a mounted condition where the first arm is compressedtoward the second arm so that a force of about 20-30 pounds is generatedat the first and second abutment surface, when mounted.
 16. The bracketof claim 15 wherein the first and second arms are molded as one piece.17. The bracket of claim 15 wherein the first abutment surface comprisesa C-shaped hand member for clamping onto a pole, and the second abutmentsurface is a generally L-shaped guide member for engaging a side of amedical apparatus when the bracket is in the mounted condition.
 18. Thebracket of claim 15 wherein the second arm includes first and secondfingers for engaging a medical device that is mounted onto the bracketbetween the fingers so that the medical device is mounted adjacent amedical apparatus and a pole, between which the bracket is compressed.19. The bracket of claim 15 further comprising a third arm portion forproviding a second finger that is adjacent a first finger of said secondarm that clamps to a medical device disposed between the first andsecond finger.
 20. A method of mounting a medical device to a medicalapparatus comprising the steps of: providing a spring arm bracket havinga first and second arm forming spring arms and the second arm havingclamping fingers; inserting the bracket between a pole and the medicalapparatus in order to compress the spring arms; generating an outwardforce by the spring arms due to the compression between the pole and themedical apparatus; maintaining the bracket in a vertical position; andinserting a medical device between the clamping fingers so that themedical device is maintained in a position adjacent the medicalapparatus.
 21. The method of claim 19 further comprising the steps of:attaching tubes between the medical device and a dialysis machine.